Light Art Database
Suomen
valotaiteen seura

Ainu Palmu

Master of Science – UCL, Bachelor of Arts – Tampere Polytechnic University Born 1974, Helsinki, Finland

Ainu Palmu is a lighting designer and light artist, working with animation, video art, and set design. She graduated with a degree in lighting design from Tampere Polytechnic in 2000 and earned her Master’s from University College London in 2008.

Her first light art pieces were exhibited in 2010, and since then, she has created works for festivals and public spaces. Palmu’s work is often marked by a strong sense of drama, rooted in her background in stage arts.

She employs both abstract and factual imagery, with a strong focus on transitions. The way one image transforms into another is just as significant as the final visual outcome. Change and movement are central to her artistic expression.

Palmu's works explore the value of beauty. They often make an impactful visual impression at first glance, gradually revealing deeper meanings. She brings attention to the darker aspects of life, yet does so with tenderness.

Her works frequently invite viewer interaction – the connection between the artist and the audience is essential, and often the pieces are not complete until they are experienced. Palmu can be seen as a visualizer of communication.

Currently, her main interests lie in interspecies coexistence and how the collective force of humanity can shape the future of the Earth in positive ways.